It does not matter how much Stamkos signs for in Tampa. Reality sucks. This is an old team. Elite players achieve career peak performance in the 24-28 age range. Past 30, it is exceptional for a player to achieve levels consistent their peak performance years (Pavelski might be the best example of someone who has challenged peak performance theory).

It is a problem for each individual player. But, it is even more problematic for a team that ages as a whole and all your best players have lost a step on their top skating gear.

It means they often look good. They can even sometimes outplay younger more talented teams. But, they lose when it matters. Pittsburgh, Tampa and Washington are hanging unto dreams made up from years ago. Old is old.
- spatso

Again, Stamkos is 35, just scored 40 and Hedman is 34...who else is old? Are you counting the Coach? I know its comforting to root against tampa and lump them in, but next year they will be better than this year. They will be a top 5 team again..

Nobody's roster has been more impacted by cap and success than theirs and nobody else, save Pitsburg, has been as relevant for as long in the modern salary cap era.

They will continue to stay ahead of everyone and find success.

Which is precisely why I would take a bold action. Letting Stamkos walk and trading Hedman gives you some cap space, allows you to add picks or younger assets, helps improve depth. Imagine if Pitt traded Malkin 4 or 5 years ago?
- HockeyBuzzed

How will allowing Stamkos leave in UFA add draft picks and prospects to TBL? PIT would be right where they are now, an age declining team with limited center depth because they traded their elite 2C Malkin five years ago. Malkin also had a full NMC so they might have gotten a terrible return. Crosby and Letang aren't the same players as father time is undefeated. So unless trading Malkin gets them another couple franchise players back, it would make little difference.

How will allowing Stamkos leave in UFA add draft picks and prospects to TBL? PIT would be right where they are now, an age declining team with limited center depth because they traded their elite 2C Malkin five years ago. Malkin also had a full NMC so they might have gotten a terrible return. Crosby and Letang aren't the same players as father time is undefeated. So unless trading Malkin gets them another couple franchise players back, it would make little difference.
- jfkst1

Follow along. I said let Stamkos walk. Trade Hedman for picks and/or younger players. Hmm, collectively that creates cap space and adds picks/youth.

The guy saying they aren't the Penguins because they don't have 35+ players is exactly my point. If you sign Stamkos for say 4-5 years that will take him through ages 34-38. Next year Hedman is a UFA at 34. So sign him for 5 more years too. Taking a discount is great. But these guys will fall off. Even Kucherov is turning 31 next month. They are headed for a hard landing if they bring everyone back. Not next year. But in 3 or 4 years things get real, real ugly.

Again, Stamkos is 35, just scored 40 and Hedman is 34...who else is old? Are you counting the Coach? I know its comforting to root against tampa and lump them in, but next year they will be better than this year. They will be a top 5 team again..

Nobody's roster has been more impacted by cap and success than theirs and nobody else, save Pitsburg, has been as relevant for as long in the modern salary cap era.

They will continue to stay ahead of everyone and find success.
- TrueGrit

Tampa is aging out, just like Chicago did. Chicago could have been relevant again sooner if they recognized it and traded Kane and Toews a few years earlier. Instead, they chose to appease the fan's loyalty rather than close the window and re-tool.

Tampa should get futures for all their 32+ year olds, and begin a re-build/re-tool. Stammer should have been traded at the deadline. Missed opportunity there.